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FRISCO, Texas – PGA of America Golf Professional Ryan Macey, Director of Golf at River Strand Golf & Country Club in Bradenton, Fla., has achieved PGA Master Professional status, the highest education designation available through the Association.
Backed by more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals within the PGA of America, Macey, a Member of the North Florida Section PGA, joins a special group as the 481st PGA Member to earn the Master Professional designation. He achieved his designation in Teaching & Coaching.
“Becoming a PGA Master Professional is something I’ve spent my entire career wanting to do,” said Macey. “For me to be one of 481 is a big honor, and I couldn’t be more proud. Earning Master Professional status reflects my dedication to golf and my commitment to growing the game through junior golf, which motivates me to give back and help others improve.”
The PGA Master Professional program is available to individuals with at least 10 years of PGA of America Membership along with having achieved advanced certification through the PGA Specialized and Certified Professional Programs.
The curriculum includes an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA of America Golf Professional. PGA Master Professional status is earned upon successful completion of the project’s presentation.
The PGA Master Professional program was established in 1969 to recognize PGA of America Members who make a significant effort to improve as Golf Professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their facilities. The curriculum is designed to ensure Golf Professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations and Teaching and Coaching Designations.
Macey has led premier private-club golf operations for more than 20 years. A PGA of America Member since 2013, he began his career as the Assistant Professional and then Associate Head Golf Professional at Grasslands Golf & Country Club in Lakeland. He moved to Bradenton Country Club in 2015, where he ascended to Head Professional and then Director of Instruction in 2019. In 2024 he was the Director of Golf at Palm Aire Country Club in Sarasota and then moved to River Strand G&CC in 2025.
An award winning PGA Member, Macey received the North Florida South West Chapter Youth Player Development Award in 2022, the Callaway Leader in Golf Ball Sales in 2020, and was named a U.S. Kids Golf World Top 50 Coach in the same year.
Macey graduated from Limestone University in 1998 in Gaffney, South Carolina, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance.
Macey, and his wife Rosemary reside in Bradenton with their sons Connor and Ferguson.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Jesse Dodson, PGA – PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com
Jared Minski, Mastro Communications, jared@mastrocomm.com
